Public Observation of Diet Sessions in Japan:

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Other Title
  • 近現代日本の議会傍聴
  • From the Meiji Era to the Present Day
  • ―帝国議会開設から現在まで

Abstract

<p>This paper examines the fact and significance of the public observations of the Diet before and after World War II (W.W.II) from the viewpoint of disclosure and monitoring. This study has revealed the following findings. 1) Before W.W.II, the number of people who observed the Diet sessions was consistently increasing, but as TV broadcast started after W.W.II, the number was decreasing. After the 2000’s, thanks to internet broadcast and archives, people can watch the Diet sessions anytime and anywhere, which improved the availability of information. 2) The women’s suffrage movement from the 1920’s contributed to the increase in the number of women observing the sessions in the House of Peers. Although women’s ratio hovered low for a long time after W.W.II, this ratio is rising recently because of the increasing number of women reporters and public employees. 3) Furthermore, the tradition of seating arrangement and dress code at the public gallery make it difficult for the people to observe the sessions.</p><p>  Therefore, the observation has the function of record and monitoring because through the observations the public has access to information about the Diet and its members necessary for the citizen’s political choice.</p>

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